Ski With Kim Reichhelm in Colorado

After 26 seasons of directing Women’s Ski Adventures, extreme skier Kim Reichhelm has amassed a fan base of women and men who follow her around the world to ski. “My goal is to eliminate all the hassles and hurdles that keep women from getting out and enjoying the sport,” says Reichhelm. “If you’re enjoying yourself and trust the people you’re with, that’s when the breakthroughs happen.”

Despite many participants who return each year, “it’s a nice mix of returners and new people, and the camp experience is welcoming even for people who don’t do this all the time,” says Stephanie Abrutyn, who participated in the Vail camp last season after a number of years had passed since her last Ski With Kim camp. “At different times, I’ve been among the worst in the group and among the best in the group, but never felt like I didn’t get the full four days’ instruction.”

Skilled instructors join Kim on the mountain, and change groups from day to day, so while students may have concepts presented to them in a different way, instruction remains consistent. “That was valuable to me as a student,” says Abrutyn. “The all-day-every-day instruction allowed me to get out there and have as much time as possible to work on my skills.”

Camp days stick to a “more skiing, less talking” theme, with one concept presented at a time, and plenty of practice. Après gatherings at the end of each ski day are opportunities to review photos of each camper, in an effort to show where they’re improving and where there’s room to grow.

Day off: Add to your exercise on the mountain with conditioning workouts or classes from yoga to Pilates at the Vail Vitality Center. Round it all out with medical and holistic services, or drop into an educational lecture to find a way to balance health and sport.

Christiania at Vail: 356 E. Hanson Ranch Road, Vail, Colo. (800) 530-3999. www.christiania.com. This European-style lodge in the village allows you to relax in comfort during camp off hours. Rates start at $390 per night.

The Sebastian Vail: 16 Vail Road, Vail, Colo. (800) 354-6908. www.thesebastianvail.com. Comfortable and stylish boutique hotel in Vail Village with the showiest hot chocolate service in town. Rates start at $495 per night.